PET FRIENDLY GARDENING

by Terri Valenti

INTRODUCTION
Most gardeners that I know embrace life, love the feel of the cool soil under their feet, a little sun on their back and a gentle breeze on their face. Most dogs that I know embrace life, love the feel of the cool soil under their feet, a little sun on their back, and a gentle breeze on their face. So I’m perplexed when I hear gardeners express doubt that you can have a beautiful garden and a dog at the same time. Since more pet/garden conflict exists between dogs and gardens, this paper primarily discusses dogs. My goal is to fill holes, mend fences and get these two kindred spirits back together, as they should be. Many thanks to our friends at Jefferson Feed Pet and Garden Center for their never ending help to the garden lover and the pet lover alike.

RECLAIM YOUR AREA
If you once had a beautiful backyard and eventually lost it to your playful dogs, begin taking it back slowly – one area at a time. It will be too frustrating to your dog and you to try and establish multiple off-limits areas at one time. First establish which areas you would like to be off-limits to your dog and which areas you are happy to share. If you have time to work with your dog a couple of times a day in the backyard you can teach him not to trespass in YOUR area, just as you once taught him to respect your house rules. But if you have limited training ability and/or time, you might consider using a motion detector that attaches to your garden hose. When the dog enters an area guarded by the motion detector, a nozzle sprays a stream of water in the direction of the offender. Obviously some breeds of dogs might find this more entertaining than a deterrent. Fido fences are also available. These deliver a low voltage shock to the trespasser. The shock might be better described as a buzz, more startling than painful and is not harmful or cruel. In most cases, the dog will not challenge this fence a second time and the wire eventually can be removed or replaced with a monofilament line if needed as a reminder to the dog.

HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
No doubt your grass or turf usually suffers the most from you and your dogs in high traffic areas. Consider using a combination of paving stones with strips of grass, moss or ground cover between the stones. This will help preserve the “green look” while providing a more durable surface for feet and paws.

THOUGHTFUL SELECTION OF PLANTS AND SHRUBS
Consider purchasing larger, more durable shrubs for your shady areas. If chosen with durability in mind, you might not mind sharing your shady areas. If it is your intent to share these areas, leave enough room between the shrubs for your dog to meander and explore. Some examples of durable plants are: Cast Iron Plants (they didn’t get their name by accident), Holly, Night Blooming Jasmine, Holly Ferns, Camellias, Leatherleaf Mahonia, Old Garden Roses, Barberry, and Indian Hawthorn. This is only a small sampling of an endless list of plants that will work equally well.

VERTICAL AND CONTAINER GARDENING
The use of hanging baskets, large gardening pots, urns, window boxes and trellises is an excellent way to infuse your garden with flowers and provide other visual interest to your garden without having to worry that they will be trampled or urinated upon. You will be required to water more, so I recommend you use the relatively new moisture retentive soil, which is available at your local garden center.

POISONOUS PLANTS
There are differences in the toxic effects of plants on dogs and cats, as well as goats, iguanas, etc. Accordingly, I am providing the Internet website for Cornell University’s poisonous plant list, which they keep updated as new plants are introduced and new toxicities are discovered. The site is http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/anispecies.html. Once you take a look at the site, you will see it is very extensive. I am reminded of a recent episode of Emergency Vets where a dog was undergoing surgery for getting a stick lodged in his throat. The point is that even a stick can be dangerous to your pet. Use good judgment. If you have a puppy or a dog prone to chewing, take a good hard look at the plants in your yard and their potential to poison. However, if you have an adult dog who has no propensity to chew, many plants with some toxicity potential can be used in your yard without creating a great risk of danger.

CHEMICALS
Avoid the use of chemicals unless absolutely necessary. Ask your local garden center or Ag agent for safer alternatives such as Sluggo for snail control. If chemicals are needed, use only as directed and read the label carefully for precautions that should be taken to protect you and your pets. Remember that dogs and cats lick their paws and can ingest chemicals after they have walked in the yard. Please keep your pet off grass or areas treated with chemicals until it is safe for them to return. Store any remaining chemical or chemical alternative as directed and away from your pets.

WHICH PET IS BEST FOR YOU
If you do not already have a dog or you are thinking of adding another one to your family, you should choose your canine companion in a manner that is compatible with your time, space and lifestyle (this is true for anyone, not just gardeners). Remember that wear on your garden can be directly compared to the age, size and exercise requirements of your new pet. Adopting an older dog might be an excellent way to avoid many dog/gardening conflicts.

DESIGNATED ELIMINATION AREAS
Dogs tend to use the same area for their potty needs. Therefore, when introducing a new dog or puppy to your home, it is helpful to take your dog out on a leash in the mornings for the first week or so to the area that you would prefer him choose as his elimination area. In most cases the dog will continue to use this area on his own after the initial training session. Conversely, if you simply place your new puppy out the door on the patio in the mornings, odds are the elimination will occur on the patio. Remember it is much easier to establish good habits than to have to break a bad one. Always remember to praise the dog when he does something that pleases you and keep his poop picked up daily if possible.

DIGGING
Digging is a bit of a challenge. First it is important to know exactly why your dog is digging before you can even begin to address the matter. The reason can be as simple as searching for a cool place to lay or that he is simply bored. Once you have identified the reason your dog digs, you can address the problem. Placing a bit of poop in the hole often deters the digging. Also, an inflated balloon can be buried with the intent to startle the dog when it pops. My personal favorite is to simply provide the dog with his own designated digging area.

SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
If you are having continued specific behavioral issues with your dog such as digging, chewing, etc., please seek the advice and assistance of a dog trainer, pet care professional or animal behaviorist. Often there are tried-and-true methods that can be used to help resolve the issue. The Internet is also an excellent and unlimited source of information on behavioral issues.

BIRDFEEDERS AND CATS
If you enjoy having your cat in the garden with you, you should probably let your neighbors feed the wild birds. If you do put up a bird feeder or birdbath, please place it in an open space away from shrubbery to avoid places for your cat to hide and stalk your wild birds. It is best to also provide a seed catcher below your feeder to keep your birds off the ground.

CONCLUSION
I hope that you will find this paper useful in creating more harmony among you, your pet and your garden if that harmony has been lacking. Many of you have discovered that dogs do not come on autopilot. Most well behaved dogs have a very loving family member responsible for their good manners. And good manners for your dog do not necessarily have to be checked at the back door.

Happy Gardening!


This paper was written in gratitude to Jefferson Feed, Pet and Garden Center
for their support of homeless animals everywhere by:

Terri Valenti
Master Gardener
LA-SPCA Volunteer